Rail-support.



PATENTED MAY 10, 1904. L. STEINBBRGBR. RAIL SUPPORT.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 7. 1904.

N0 MODEL.

Mag., yay/M Patented May 10, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS 'STEINBERGER OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

RAILSUPPon-r.

SPECIFICATION forming part oi Letters Patent N0- 759,'7'6'7, dated May 10, 1904.

Application led January 7, 1904. Serial No. 188,052. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, LoUIs STEINBERGER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city oi New York, borough ot' Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Itail-Support, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an insulated support, and is particularly adapted for use in supporting and insulating a third rail of an electric railway, although it will be evident that it may be used for insulating and supporting various other electric conductors.V

The object oi' my invention is to provide an insulated conductor-support which will permit the rail ample freedom ot' movement in any di rection, thereby providingl for the expansion and contraction oi' the rail and for the vertical movements of the ties. I

A further object is to relieve the supports oi undue strains and permit the rail to accommodate itseli:l to the various positions of the collector-shoe, thereby insuring a constant and perfect contact.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part oi this speci lication, in which similar characters oiI reierence indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a perspective view showing my invention as applied to a rail. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section through the same, showing the rail in its normal position. Fig. 3 isa fragmentary cross-section somewhat similar to Fig. 2, but showing the rail as careencd in a lateral direction owing to the depression ot the ties or the pressure oi' the collector-shoe. Fig. i is an inverted plan or bottom view oi the weathershield and rocker member, and Fig. 5 is a detailshovving in perspecting view the bearingplate and the boss whereby the same is mounted.

The cross-tie is shown at l, and mounted upon it is a bed-plate 2, preferably oi' metal, provided with a iiange 3, this flange being' secured in position by means oi' bolts or spikes 4. The bed-plate 2 is oi' conical form and hollow. Resting upon it and disposed partially within it is a portion 5 of a double-ended cone, the other portion, 6, being provided with an annular flange 7, winch overhangs the upper annular edge of the bed-plate 2, as shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3. rIhis doubleended cone is ot' insulating material and is substantially hollow, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, and into it projects a boss 8, carrying upon its upper portion a bearing-plate 9, integral therewith, this bearing-plate having slots I() or equivalent mutilations. A rocker 1l, preferably circular, is provided with a hood I2, depending therefrom, and is also provided with guide-webs 13, these webs depending directly from the hood l1 and being integral therewith, as indicated in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. Lugs 14 are also integral with the rocker 11 and may be bent inwardly toward each other, so as to clamp the base 15 oi the rail 16. The rocker ll is provided with a rotund or convex portion 17, this portion having substantially the form of a plano-convex lens, so as to engage the bearing-plate 9 and virtually form thereupon a fulcrum which permits the rail to move relatively to thesupport in a plurality of directions. I iind that the rail has comparatively little tendency to rock in any other direction than the one crossing the general direction oi the length of the rail, as indicatcd in Fig. 3, though it may incline the rocker member when the rail moves longitudinally, owing to expansion or contraction.

I do not limit myself to the circular 'form for the rotund portion I7. Neither do I limit myself in all cases to a rocker having a convex portion. Neither do I limit myself to the means for fastening the rail upon a rocker, nor for supporting the rocker. Neither do I limit myself to making the parts 2, 5, 8, and 9 detachable. Any or all of the parts described may be varied within reasonablelimits without departing from the spirit ot my invention.

It will be noted that the hood l2 covers the upper end oil the insulation at all times, not withstanding the I'act that the rail may rock or move in a lateral direction within wide limits. rlhe rain or other moisture is therefore unable to wet the contact-plate 9 orto insinuate itself into any crevice or seam connected with the apparatus-- So, also, the flange 7, of insulating material, protects the junction between the insulation and the bed-plate 2 in order to prevent the moisture from soaking IOO into the seams and crevices. In fact, the unibrella-like structure of the hood l2 and of the flange 7 makes the apparatus practically impermeable to moisture, so that the insulating material used may, if desired, be of a comparatively cheap grade. The guide-webs 13 work loosely within the slots l0, and therefore allow the rail to creep slightly in the general direction of its length and also allow it a freedom of movement in any and all directions. The result is that While the rail is so supported as to exhibit considerable strength it has nevertheless an adequate degree of flexibility, so greatly desired by -persons operating in this art.

It will be noted that the bed-plate 2, the insulation resting thereupon, and the bearingplate 9 together constitute a composite pedestal the parts of which are readily detachable and are consequently easily replaced when Worn out or destroyed.

When the general position of the rail is disturbed to the slightest extent, the tendency of the rail is to automatically correct its position. It therefore rests in stable equilibrium. v

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentv l. Arail-support, comprising a rocker to be connected-With a rail, said rocker having a portion of substantially the shape of a planoconvex lens for the purpose of engaging a supporting-surface and thereby sustaining said rail in stable equilibrium.

2. Arail-support, comprising a rocker having a portion for engaging a rail, and also having a rotund portion, the curvature of said portion extending in all directions for the purpose of enabling said rail to rock in various directions independently of each other.

3. A rail-support, comprising a pedestal provided with a bearing-plate, and a rocker provided with a portion for-engaging a rail, and also with a surface for engaging said bearing-plate, so as to support said rail in stable equilibrium, said rocker being further provided with guide mechanism for maintaining it substantially in a predetermined position relatively to said bearing-plate- 4. A railsupport, comprising a metallic member to be connected with a tie, an insulating member to be connected with said metallic member, a bearing-plate for resting upon said insulating member, and a metallic member to be connected with a rail and resting in stable equilibrium upon said bearing-plate, said last-mentioned metallic member being' provided with a surface for engaging said rail.

5. A rail-support, comprising a bearingplate provided with mutilations, means for sustaining said bearing-plate, and a rocker loosely mounted upon said bearing-plate and provided with guide members loosely engaging said mutilations, said rocker being further provided With a portion for engaging a rail.

6. A rail-support, comprising a hollow metallic member, an insulating member disposed partially within the same and provided with a portion projecting upwardly therefrom, a bearing-plate connected with said insulating material and resting thereupon, and mechanism connected with said bearing-plate for supporting a rail thereupon in stable equilibrium.

7. A rail-support, comprising a metallic member of frusto-conical form, an insulating member mounted thereupon and having a portion of substantially frusto-conical form, said metallic member and said insulating member together forming an elongated cone frustum,

a bearing-plate mounted upon said insulating member, and means for supporting a rail in stable equilibrium upon said elongated cone frustum.

8. A rail-support, ycomprising a metallic member provided with a flange to be secured upon across-tie, and also provided with an aperture, a member of insulating material disposed partially within said aperture, a bearing-plate connected with said member of insulating material and provided with a bearing-surface, and a rocker resting upon said bearing-surface and provided with a portion for engaging a rail.

9. A rail-support, comprising a bearingplate provided with a boss, mechanism disposed below said bearing-plate and engaging said boss for the purpose of supporting said bearing-plate, said bearing-plate being provided with slots, and a rocker provided with guide-webs loosely engaging said slots, said rocker being further provided with mechanism for engaging the base of a rail.

l0. As an article of manufacture, a railrocker comprising a metallic member provided with a surface for engaging a rail, and also provided with a rotund portion, said metallic member being further provided with a hood.

1l. As an article of manufacture, a railrocker comprising a metallic member having a portion to be engaged by a rail, and also having a portion for engaging a bearing-surface and thereby supporting said rail in stable equilibrium, said metallic member being further provided with members for engaging a IOO ITO

stationary kmechanism and thereby loosely holding said metallic member in a general predetermined position.

l2. As an article of manufacture, a railrocker comprising a metallic member provided with a portion to be engaged bya rail, and also provided with a portion for engaging a support and thereby sustaining said rail in stable equilibium, said metallic member being further provided with a weather-shield and with guiding members for holding said metallic member substantially in a predetermined position.

13.' As an article of manufacture, a railrocler consisting of a metallic member provided with a portion to be Secured to a rail, and also with a portion for engaging a bearing-surface for the purpose of supporting said rail in stable equilibrium, said metallic member being provided with a hood depending therefrom and serving as a weather-shield.

lfpAs an article of manufacture, a railrocker consisting of a metallic member provided with a convex face for eng'aging a bearing-surface, and also provided with guide- Webs disposed upon either side of said convex face for guiding said convex face relatively to said bearing-surface.

15. As an article of manufacture, a railrocker comprising a hollow metallic member provided integrally with a convex face, said member being' further provided with a surface for engaging a rail.

16. As an article' of manufacture, a railrocker comprising a metallic member of substantially circular conformity, said metallic member being provided with a hood integral therewith, and with a rotund bearing portion disposed centrally within said hood, said metallic member being further provided with means for engaging a rail.

17. As an article of manufacture, a rail rocker comprising a member provided with a portion for engaging a rail, and also provided with a rotund rocker portion.

18. A rail-support, comprising a rocker member and a base portion, and an insulating member interposed between said rocker member and said base portion.

19. A rail-support, comprising a rocker member, a bearing member and a base portion, and an insulating member engaging said bearing member and said base portion.

20. A rail-support, comprising a metallic rocker member and a metallic base portion, and an insulating member interposed between said rocker member and said base portion.

21. A rail-support, comprising a metallic rocker member', a metallic bearing member and a base portion, andan insulating member engaging said bearing member and said` base portion.

22. As an article of manufacture, a railroclier comprising a member provided with a portion for engaging a rail and with a convex rocker portion, said member being' further provided with a weather-shield.

23. A rail-support,comprisinga rocker provided with mechanism for engaging' a' rail, and also provided with a portion for engaging a su pporting-surface and thereby sustaining the rail in stable equilibrium, said rocker being further provided with a weather-shield.

24. A rail-support, comprising a convex rocker provided with lugs for engaging a rail, said rocker being provided with a weathershield, and with a portion for engaging a supporting-surface, and thereby sustaining the rail in stable equilibrium.

25. A rail-support, comprising a convex rocker provided with means for connecting' a rail thereto, said rocker being further pro vided with a weather-shield having the form of a downwardly-extending hood.

26. A rail-support, comprising a convex rocker provided with a weather-shield and with a portion for engaging' a su pport disposed within said weather-shield, thereby sustaining said rocker in stable equilibrium, and means for connecting a rail to said rocker.

27. A rail-support, comprising' a pedestal, mechanism connected therewith and provided with a rocker for supporting a rail in stable equilibrium, and a Weather-shield for protecting said last-mentioned mechanism from the action of the weather.

Q8. A rail-support, comprising' a member provided with a bearing-surface, mechanism connected therewith and provided with a rocker for supporting a rail in stable equilibrium, and a hood encircling said bearing-sur face for the purpose of protecting' the same from the action of the weather.

29.' As an article of manufacture, a railrocker comprising a metallic member having a portion for engaging a rail, and also having a portion for engaging a surface, thereby supporting said rail in stable equilibrium, said rocker being' further provided with means for securing a rail rigidly thereto, and with a weather-shield.

30. A rail support, comprising a rocker member having a single portion of substantially the shape of a plano-convex lens for the purpose of engaging a supporting-surface and thereby sustaining said rocker member in stable equilibrium.

31. A railsupport, comprising a rocker member having means for engaging a rail, and also havinga rotund portion, the curvature of said portion extending' in all directions for the purpose of enabling said rocker member to rock in various directions, the center of said rotund portion being' in alinemcnt with the center of said rail, for the purpose of sustaining said rail in stable equilibrium.

32. A rail-support, comprising' a base portion, an insulating member engaging the same, a bearing member engaging' said insulating member, and means detaehably connected therewith for supportinga rail upon said bearing member in stable equilibrium.

33. As an article of manufacture, a railrocker comprising a hollow metallic member provided with a convex portion, said member being further provided with a portion for engaging' a rail.

1n testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS STEINBERGER.

Witnesse VALtroN HARRISON, EVERARD BOLTON MARSHALL.

IOO 

